Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
Aury
This morning has been brutal. I can’t stop thinking about Siobhan on her date. Even Bunny has had enough of me, all but scream-meowing me out of the house.
Or maybe I’m using her as an excuse.
I tried not to, but I couldn’t help wandering around downtown, hoping while also dreading catching a glimpse of Siobhan. And the alphas. Unfortunately, the glare on the bakery windows is intense, so I can barely get a hint of their shapes through the glass.
I’d recognize Siobhan anywhere, no matter how little detail or distorted her image, so spotting her sitting up straight is no hardship.
The alphas I can’t get a read on, though.
And neither can I figure out what her perfect posture means.
Is she invested, engaged? Is she uncomfortable and trying to be polite?
I have no idea, but just as I’m walking by a third time, considering pushing the door open and striding in, Sage and her beta walk out.
“Oh, hey Aury!” Sage says, grinning at me while her beta, Riley, opens their pastry bag and pulls out a lemon square, then brings it to her lips.
Sage grins, then takes a dainty bite. I try to step around them, but I can’t without inappropriately invading her space.
And there’s no way in hell I want another omega’s scent on me.
Sage’s attention returns to me as I’m attempting to sidestep and twist around them.
“What are you… Oh,” she says, a far too knowing look crossing her eye. She glances back at the bakery, her gaze traveling along the window, then back to me. I rub a hand along the back of my neck, but she speaks again before I can come up with an excuse. “She’s doing okay.”
“Who’s what, now?” I say, feigning ignorance. All the while, hot jealousy is shredding my resolve.
Her knowing smile shifts with a touch of pity, and I hate it. “Siobhan and the alphas. I’d say it’s going,” she wiggles her hand in a so-so motion, “just okay, from the little I glimpsed.”
“Oh, you’re here for Sage’s friend? The witchy one? Yeah, she’s got her work cut out for her with those two,” Riley says with a laugh, then frowns. “You’re a bit late, though. Looks like they’ve been here a while.”
“Oh, no. I’m not—” I cut myself off and shake my head.
The beta’s eyes widen comically, then they stage-whisper. “Oh shit, are you spying?”
My shoulders slump. “Yeah, I guess. I couldn’t sit at home doing nothing while she’s here with…” I gesture to the window, and they both nod their heads.
“I get it, man,” Riley says, tossing their arm over Sage’s shoulders. “I was a mess at first, too. But don’t worry, it’ll work itself out. Sage here has told me all about how long Siobhan has been crushing on y—oof!”
“Riley!” Sage hisses while elbowing them in the ribs. “I told you that as a secret!”
“Oh,” Riley says, widening their eyes at me. “Whoops.”
I can’t take much more of this. The constant glancing at Siobhan through the window. These two and whatever shit-stirring dynamic they’ve got going on. I shake my head and try for a polite smile. “Well, I’m gonna get going. Nice seeing you.”
“You too,” Sage says, while Riley hollers, “You got this!”
I barely make it another hour before giving into the urge to text her.
Me: How did the date go?
Siobhan: I was just about to text you! Spooky.
Siobhan: It was… Okay, then bad, then better, then bad, then good?
I stare at my phone. What in the hell does that mean?
Siobhan: Easier to explain over the phone. Can I call?
I immediately press the phone symbol to call her, and she picks up on the first ring. “Yeah, so I kinda made a fool of myself, but both of them did too.”
“Tell me everything,” I reply, my heart settling now that I have her husky voice in my ear.
It’s only after we hang up that I realize she didn’t mention whether she told them about me or not.
It’s finally Monday afternoon, and I’m readying the room for our tai chi class when Siobhan’s scent douses me in fresh, rich masala chai.
I spin around to see her striding—no, stalking—over to me, and my eyes widen in alarm.
There’s still twenty minutes before class starts, how did she get in here so early?
“What—”
“I want you,” Siobhan says, interrupting me. She throws her shoulders back, tips her chin up, and glares at me as though I’m about to deny her whatever she’s determined to have. Which is apparently…
“You want… me?”
“Yes. I couldn’t stop thinking about you the whole time I was on that date.
” She starts pacing back and forth in front of me, her scent hinting at over-steeped tea.
“What if Aury doesn’t want a pack with alphas?
Why isn’t he here with me? I don’t want a pack without him.
” She stops and throws her arms out to the sides, glaring at me again.
I shake my head, eyes feeling far too wide for my face, unsure what to say.
“Why aren’t we together, Aury?” she demands.
“I—” My mouth gapes like a fish. “I don’t know?”
She huffs a disgruntled breath and her hands drop to her hips. “Well, I want to be. I want to date. I want us to be official. So I can tell those alphas it’s both of us or nothing.”
Her shoulders slump and her hands fall from her hips as she loses steam. I take a step forward, worried all of a sudden that she might get dizzy and fall. It’s only been one week since her concussion, after all, and she’s supposed to be on limited activity for a minimum of two.
“I don’t want to move forward without you,” she says, her voice soft this time.
A confusing contrast of relief and disbelief swirl through me. I step closer, closing the distance between us, and she tips forward until her nose presses to the top of my neck. I wrap one arm around her then cup her jaw with my other hand, turning her face back up to mine.
“I don’t want anything without you, Moonbeam.” My voice is as soft as hers, but no less passionate. “I haven’t stopped thinking about you either. Everything about you calls to me. Whatever you want, I’m in. I’d be honored to be with you.”
Her eyes turn glassy and her bottom lip wobbles, but she smiles up at me.
She bites her lip, hiding the tremble, and I pull her tight to my chest, wrapping both arms around her this time.
She nods frantically, the top of her head brushing against my jaw, and I tip my cheek to scent mark her.
It’s not normally something betas do, as our scents are much more muted, but my instincts guide me to do so anyways.
She melts into me at the gesture, and her arms wrap around my waist, hands fisting in my loose workout shirt. I hold her for perfect moments that I wish could be endless.
“It’s nearly time for class,” I murmur. I press a kiss to the crown of her head, and she pulls away, swiping her fingers under her eyes.
She grins up at me, then rises on her toes to press a return kiss to my lips.
Her touch sears through me. It’s heady and humbling, more than I ever imagined.
Sweet and pure, strong and intentional, just like her.
I grin against her, breathing her essence deep into my lungs, and she sighs as she pulls away.
I glance at the clock, realizing there are probably a group of grannies waiting in the hallway for me to open the door so we can begin.
The entirety of the class is a game of torturous flirting: light touches, heated glances, sinuous movements. A contradiction of exquisite torment.